Everyone knows buying a pickup means spending plenty of money at the pumps. It’s the sacrifice so many of us make for the capability and power of a truck — the price of admission, so to speak, for the utility a half-ton affords.

But, clearly, it doesn’t have to be so painful, as the 2014 Ram 1500 Laramie EcoDiesel we tested for the past month so loudly demonstrates. Starting with a full tank, and having just driven 900 kilometres, I sit here this day with roughly a quarter tank remaining, the range to empty showing some 175 kilometers. My average fuel economy on that trip, at speeds mostly around 120 km/h?

That figure, from a 2,650-kilogram object shaped not too unlike an Atco trailer, is the automotive equivalent of the Order of Canada. Heck, I couldn’t achieve 8.6 (32.8 mpg) with a tiny, four-cylinder sedan I drove recently. That it was attained in a four-door 4×4 is testament not only to the intelligence of using diesel in large and heavy vehicles like pickups and full-size SUVs, but the wisdom Chrysler displayed when it decided to make a 3.0-litre EcoDiesel available for the Ram 1500 — the first automaker to market a diesel in a half-ton (GM’s old Detroit diesels notwithstanding).

As noted throughout this test, the diesel’s acoustics are perfect. And, wow, is it quiet on the highway. The low-compression (16.5:1) V6 sourced from Fiat’s VM Motori uses high compression common-rail injection for durability and fuel management. It may not boast high horsepower, its 240 horsepower similar to what might be found in a Honda Accord. But its compacted-graphite iron block and light-weight aluminum heads and pistons make for a powerplant not much heavier than the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 — and with power numbers not too dissimilar either, with the 420 lb. ft. of torque in the diesel exceeding the Hemi’s 410.

All of which looks good on paper, but in real life, and during this test, the diesel was an absolute pleasure, its power and efficiency a model for the industry. There were times I wanted more power when passing on the highway, but the low-end pull was always impressive. I never had difficulty finding a diesel station and delighted in the fuel’s lower price. Paired with a ZF eight-speed transmission, the diesel engine did exhibit some turbo lag that required some getting used to, but once familiar it was nothing to moan about.

The 2014 Ram Laramie EcoDiesel came with a spray-in bedliner.Derek McNaughton /
Driving

Indeed, little about the Ram Laramie left anything to dislike, other than a few controls that were on the small side, most notably the shift buttons for the transmission. My biggest complaint about the Laramie EcoDiesel is the level of control over the transmission both mechanically and physically. It simply does not like to be operated manually.

Surprisingly, the cabin did not once exhibit any squeaks or rattles. The fit and finish is above average, and the array of materials on the Laramie is excellent. The options in our $70,000 tester ranged from cooled front seats to an air-ride suspension that, for $1,600, is well worth the expense, adding not only convenience, but superior handling and off-road capability (and the ability to access underground garages in the city).

The suspension did feel on the firm side, the coil-spring rear axle and stabilizer bars lending a great deal of control. Corners can be consumed with considerable vigor when required. Absent of lean and nose dive, the body never felt harsh or “bucky” as some trucks can and it tracks well. The self-leveling was a bonus, and hauling a trailer was simple. The brakes always felt strong, though the pedal is too high. I would, for the price of this truck, expect some higher-end alloy wheels instead of the plastic covers, but at least the plastic can be cheaply replaced if damaged.

The air ride suspension in the 2014 Ram Laramie EcoDiesel made loading easier.Derek McNaughton /
Driving

Outside, the Ram Laramie Crew cab exudes plenty of appeal, the mattress-sized chrome grille flanked by projector headlamps that, unfortunately, are not yet HID or LED, though the turn signals and brake lamps get the updated LED treatment, as do a number of interior lights. While on-road illumination at night isn’t poor, it could be greatly improved with the LED or HID headlamps that other truck makers are making available.

However, outward visibility is good, with the view of the road better than the Toyota Tundra and the view out back about the same as the new Sierra. The side mirrors are a good size and the backup camera, while it could offer a sharper resolution, projects a large area on the 8.4-inch, full colour Uconnect screen. As mentioned in week three, the Uconnect system is a joy to operate, as is the main screen in the instrument cluster that can be configured in myriad ways.

And now we come to the end of our time with the Ram 1500 Laramie 4×4 EcoDiesel Crew cab that warmed our hearts on every excursion. After travelling a little more than 4,000 kilometres, the average combined fuel economy clocked in at 9.3 L/100 km. The best highway economy was 8.2, though it was easy to consistently get 8.4. That, in a pickup, is spectacular. More importantly, the Ram Laramie month-long test left an indelible mark, the memory of which will be long enjoyed.